The Samsung Chromebook 2 and more free stuff from Google

[Lloydbm41]

So, besides the 100GB of free Google Drive space you get when you buy a Chromebook, you also get 12 free passes to GoGo inflight internet. If you happen to fly quite a bit on airlines like American, that can equate out to over $100 of free internet while you fly. Just found this out while I am flying from Dallas back to California (using the service at I type this).
Only works with Chromebooks and the passes don't expire until late 2015 some time. You also get 60 days of free Unlimited Google Music access, instead of the normal 30 days (assuming you haven't signed up for it before.) Pretty good little bit of extras to give you the incentive to buy a cheap laptop. And now with Google docs have offline access, I think I am going to pass on buying another laptop and just stick with Chromebooks and tablets.

I spent $150 on my current Chromebook from Samsung (deal I got a while ago through Best Buy) and it isn't exactly what you call top of the line. But hey, it works for surfing the internet, document generation, watching youtube and email just fine. The latest Chromebooks coming out from Samsung have some pretty good specs and I think I will pass this one off to my daughter. The new Chromebooks have laptop level specs and screen resolution that closes in on a MacBook Pro retina display and for roughly $1000 cheaper.

• Samsung Chromebook 2:
• Cost: $319 for 11.6" (weighing 2.5 pounds) and $399 for 13.3" (weighing 3.1 pounds)
• CPU: Exynos 5 Octa processor at 2.1GHz (the 11.6" is clocked slightly lower at 1.9GHz)
• Battery life: 8.5 hours for the 13.3"
• Webcam: 720p resolution (good for Hangout video chats)
• Connections: 1xUSB 3.0 and 1xUSB 2.0 and standard SD card port
• Hard drive space: 16GB expandable with SD card slot (100GB of Google Drive space for 2 years)
• RAM: 4GB
• Resolution of 13.3" Samsung Chromebook 2 display: 1920x1080 display (166 ppi)
  13.3" Macbook Pro retina resolution for comparison: 2560x1600 (227 ppi)

 

[TacticalDesire]

Getting one of these is looking more and more enticing. Especially for basic usage. I would still have a windows/osx machine around for more heavy stuff or when I need to run an application but keeping this around for shooting out an email or surfing the web sounds kind of nice.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Getting one of these is looking more and more enticing. Especially for basic usage. I would still have a windows/osx machine around for more heavy stuff or when I need to run an application but keeping this around for shooting out an email or surfing the web sounds kind of nice.

It is particularly handy for those times you travel, but don't need something like a MacBook Air or you don't want to worry about damage. Also nice when you have someone come from out of town and they need a laptop. Chrome allows for multiple users, so it is nice from a security standpoint.

When the tablet you have has the battery drained or you want something more robust than a tablet, the Chromebook fits the void. It's also great for kids to do their schoolwork on. I like mine, but the low resolution of the first generation doesn't hack it for me anymore. I need a higher resolution screen and 1080p on the new Chromebook works for me.

 

[TacticalDesire]

It is particularly handy for those times you travel, but don't need something like a MacBook Air or you don't want to worry about damage. Also nice when you have someone come from out of town and they need a laptop. Chrome allows for multiple users, so it is nice from a security standpoint.

When the tablet you have has the battery drained or you want something more robust than a tablet, the Chromebook fits the void. It's also great for kids to do their schoolwork on. I like mine, but the low resolution of the first generation doesn't hack it for me anymore. I need a higher resolution screen and 1080p on the new Chromebook works for me.

Is there a release date for the second gen?

 

[Lloydbm41]

Is there a release date for the second gen?

Next month (April) is the release date.

 

[ItHurtsWhenIP]

Seems pointless for the price of a daily deal at Best Buy for a full Windows machine..

 

[kevinof]

Not quite. I use an chromebook every day now (also have a windows laptop). The equivalent laptop (small, lightweight, long battery etc) would have cost significantly more than the chromebook. The other reason I use the chromebook is speed. I open it up and it's running in seconds and that means I use it a lot more - It's practically instant on.

I also found that there were very few times that I was using a laptop off the net so I might as well get something that's always connected.

Seems pointless for the price of a daily deal at Best Buy for a full Windows machine..

 

[mattopotamus]

Seems pointless for the price of a daily deal at Best Buy for a full Windows machine..

b.c those cheap windows machines are still rocking those RPM Hard Drives. That is a massssiivvvvee difference.

 

[ChazUK]

Seems pointless for the price of a daily deal at Best Buy for a full Windows machine..

None of this is a godsend.

 

[mclld]

No way would I spend that much when I could get a basic Windows laptop that offers more. $150-200, sure thing

 

[Shanghaichica]

I've had a netbook and it was awful. The keyboard was crap, it was slow and buggy. I much prefer a chromebook as a second computer than a cheap windows device. .

My series 3 chromebook is still going strong (approaching it's 2nd birthday) so I've no need to upgrade to this. However it looks very attractive.

 

[Michael Goff]

No way would I spend that much when I could get a basic Windows laptop that offers more. $150-200, sure thing

Except if you don't use more, and you don't want to deal with maintenance, this is your thing. It isn't for everyone, and likely not for you, but there is a market out there.

 

[mclld]

Well of course I am only speaking for myself. The maintenance thing is overblown, I have a Windows 8.1 desktop and it doesnt affect me

 

[Michael Goff]

Well of course I am only speaking for myself. The maintenance thing is overblown, I have a Windows 8.1 desktop and it doesnt affect me

I'm just used to the idea that people seem to have these days.

"Well, I have no use for it ergo nobody does" gets annoying.

 

[rhinosrcool]

I've had a netbook and it was awful. The keyboard was crap, it was slow and buggy. I much prefer a chromebook as a second computer than a cheap windows device. .

My series 3 chromebook is still going strong (approaching it's 2nd birthday) so I've no need to upgrade to this. However it looks very attractive.

That impressive going on two years and not feeling compelled to upgrade.

At first, I thought that these were useless. However, after trying one and having friends (somewhat techy) liking them, I think they're under appreciated. One of these days...

 

[RMXO]

Very nice, love the new 1920x1080 resolution. This might be a great Mothers Day or Bday gift for my mom since her aging Asus TF300T is starting to show its age.